Hip-Hop Writing and Production Course Added to Berkleemusic

Sep 14, 2005

Berkleemusic.com, the online extension school of the renowned Berklee College of Music, has added Hip-Hop Writing and Production to it's curriculum of composition and production courses. Mike Hamilton, a Berklee grad and assistant professor, is teaching the world's first online course devoted to this global phenomenon that today generates hundreds of millions of dollars a year worldwide in record sales.

"It's a privilege and a pleasure to share what I've learned," says Hamilton. "By studying interactively to create striking hip-sound sounds with the right effects, EQ, and mixing styles, I feel the graduates of this course will have that critical edge over the competition."

Hamilton, who has been producing, writing, recording, and performing music for over twenty years, was a member of the late night band for the BET television show Live from LA, where he wrote and produced hip-hop pieces for guest artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Warren G, Method Man, P. Diddy, and Mystical. Berkleemusic's course covers the techniques that hip-hop producers use to create hit songs. The class focuses on writing and production considerations unique to hip-hop-from its distinctive drum beats and bass lines to its use of vocals, samples, and instrumentation. The course also explores hip-hop's history and the artists responsible for growing the genre into what it is today.

Students learn how to analyze and recreate different styles of hip-hop music, and then use this foundation to produce songs using Propellerhead's Reason software. Students study mic placement for rap vocals, develop drum and bass grooves, build arrangements, and apply the techniques that lead to complete hip-hop productions. The tools and strategies learned in this course can be applied to the production of any musical style.